Aerogel Technology Advancements Aspen Systems, Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts

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Aerogel Technology Advancements Aspen Systems,
Inc., Marlborough, Massachusetts
Innovation -A new, fast and efficient solvent
extraction process speeds up the production of
high quality aerogels by at least ten times
compared to the state-of-the-art CO2 drying
process.
Photo

• Accomplishments
• Aspen Systems is a leading manufacturer of
  aerogels in the United States.
• Aerogels have very high thermal insulation
  values, Infrared (IR) shielding, and acoustic and
  shock absorption characteristics.
• Aspen has been developing various aerogel
  products and technologies starting with a Small
  Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract in
  1993 with NASA at Kennedy Space Center. The work
  involved the development of flexible aerogel
  insulation for cryogenic applications.
• In March 1999 Aspen invented a high-speed,
  low-cost manufacturing process for aerogels for
  which Aspen received the prestigious SBIR
  Technology of the Year Award in
  Manufacturing/Materials in November 1999.

Aerogel-Insulated Antarctic Expedition
Jacket

• Government/Science Applications
• Aspen Systems responded to NASA's need for an
  aerogel-based cryogenic insulation system with
  extremely low thermal conductivity that is
  flexible, durable, and easy to use.
• Prototype aerogel composite systems are
  currently being field tested at KSC. The basic
  form of the system is a blanket composed of
  aerogel-based composites and radiation shield
  layers. The final product can be a blanket,
  sheet, or clamshell unit, depending on the
  application.
• Potential space applications include the
  Reusable Launch Vehicle, Space Shuttle upgrades,
  and interplanetary propulsion and life support
  equipment. The aerogel composites have been
  utilized in the construction of two research
  cryostats, which are currently used for thermal
  measurements at the KSC Cryogenics Test
  Laboratory. propellants, which are typical for
  space launch applications.

• Commercialization
• The new process provides dramatic cost reductions
  in the manufacture of aerogels.
• Aspen plans to mass-produce aerogels using this
  new method and open world markets for building
  insulation, skylights/windows, clothing, home
  appliances, aerospace, automotive, cryogenics,
  and other applications.
• The potential worldwide market for low-cost
  aerogels is projected to be 10 billion a year by
  2005. A 1000-liter pilot plant based on this new
  aerogel production process is being built to
  start production by late 2001.
• Aspen currently offers three aerogel product
  lines Cryogel, Pyrogel, and Polar Bear, for
  low, high, and medium temperature applications,
  respectively. Aspen is also producing an
  inexpensive, resilient, low dusting, and
  extremely flexible blanket called Spaceloft, and
  a thin aerogel imbedded fabric called Aerotex,
  developed in a research and development program.
  These are advanced versions of the flexible
  aerogel insulation originally developed under the
  KSC Phase II SBIR contract.

Points of Contact - NASA- James Fesmire 321
867-7557 - Aspen Systems (Kang Lee, 508
481-5058 ext. 124) Company URL
www.aspensystems.com 1998 SBIR Phase II
NAS10-12112
Kennedy Space Center Date of Update
02/14/2001 Success Story 10-017